Boise State: Played in eight total games in two seasons as a backup kicker at Boise State and scored 15 total points. In 2011, he played in three regular-season games and finished 9-of-9 kicking extra points. He missed one field goal and had one kickoff for 56 yards. Boise State finished 12-1 overall and ranked ninth in the final Associated Press rankings and No. 7 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Broncos defeated Utah 26-3 in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas to end the season. In 2010, Pavel played in six regular-season games and made a 24-yard field goal to end the scoring in a 51-34 victory over Fresno State. He also made 3-of-4 extra points and averaged 60.6 yards on 14 kickoffs. He redshirted at BSU in 2008.

HS: Graduated from Central Catholic HS in 2008. He earned 6A All-State honorable-mention honors from the Oregonian as a senior, earning first-team All-Mount Hood League honor as a punter and second-team accolades as a kicker. He earned honorable-mention honors as a junior.